A Rung-by-Rung Guide to Ladder Safety

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Falls are the most common job-site injury, and 50% of these falls are related to ladders and can be prevented by using the right ladder in the right way.

Bill Blanks, Senior Risk Management Consultant for Builders Mutual, shares his thoughts and best practices for ladder safety.

Ladder safety (including proper ladder selection, inspection, use, and storage) should always be incorporated into new-hire training and reinforced to veteran team members. By sharing these important tips, you can help your workers prevent ladder accidents.

Selection

Ladder selection is the first step to preventing fall injuries on the jobsite. Know the safety risks associated with using the wrong ladder.

Be sure to ask the right questions when choosing a ladder:

Do I need a step or extension ladder? Stepladders are self-supporting, extension ladders are leaning.
How tall should my ladder be?
Should the ladder be fiberglass or aluminum? Don’t use aluminum around electricity.
How much weight will the ladder support? Be sure to check the ladder duty rating to make sure it will support climber, tools, and materials.

Work Environment

Look around the work area where the ladder will be used. If there is high foot traffic, make sure the area around the ladder is taped, coned-off, or barricaded to prevent others from walking underneath the ladder. If ladders are being used outdoors, inspect for soft or unstable footing that could destabilize a ladder. Look up for overhead power lines before handling or climbing a ladder.

Inspection

Just like any other piece of equipment, ladders must be inspected prior to each use:

Rungs, steps, and top cap must be free of cracks or defects.
Rails and base – look for stress cracks and discoloration from UV rays, which could cause railings to become brittle.
Warning labels should be legible.
Foot or feet – make sure the anti-slip foot pad on the bottom is in good condition and the foot assembly is not bent or loose.
Spreaders and rung locks should not be bent, cracked, or loose, and should still operate smoothly.

If a ladder is damaged, do not try to repair it on the jobsite. Many falls stem from workers attempting to fix ladders with duct tape or other inappropriate means of repair. Tag it “Do Not Use” and find another ladder that is in good working condition.

Use

After the work environment overview and ladder inspection are complete, work can begin. Be sure to remain mindful of personal safety practices.

Stepladders:

Set the ladder on a level foundation with a solid footing.
Make sure the spreader is locked in place; do not lean a stepladder against a wall.
Position the ladder near your work area to help you avoid overreaching.
Carry tools in a shoulder or waist belt; never carry tools or materials in your hands while climbing or descending a ladder.
Check your shoes and boots to make sure they are free of mud or slippery material.
Maintain a 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing and descending a ladder.
Always face the ladder while climbing or descending.

Extension ladders:

Look for overhead power lines and ensure you have at least 10 feet of clearance overhead.
Place the ladder one foot away from the vertical surface for every 4 feet of ladder height (4:1 angle).
Secure the ladder at the top to make sure it will not shift while climbing on to or off the landing. Ask a teammate to hold the ladder at the bottom while you secure or unsecure the ladder at the top.

Storage

Ladders should be secured on a ladder rack or in the back of the truck. Once your team arrives back at the office or shop, store ladders indoors to prevent weather damage, rusting, and warping from rain or UV rays. Proper inspection and storage of ladders will help prolong the life of the ladders and keep them in good working order.

Remembering these steps while using ladders can help prevent one of the most common job-site injuries. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides a free ladder safety app as an easy-to-use resource that the job-site team can reference on the spot.

For more information on jobsite safety, visit the Builders Mutual blog.